Video gaming hits plateau in Rockford; small increase in May

ROCKFORD — The demand for video gambling may be reaching a tipping point in the Forest City.

Greg Stanley

ROCKFORD — The demand for video gambling may be reaching a tipping point in the Forest City.

Money going into the increasingly prevalent slot and poker machines showed the first signs of leveling out last month, climbing slightly from $12.75 million in April to $12.76 million in May.

It was the lowest month-to-month increase since the machines were legalized in September.

But while the demand of gamblers may be waning, the demand of business owners for the machines is growing. Rockford bar owners installed eight gambling machines in May, bringing the city’s total to 150 machines in 31 bars, parlors or other establishments.

The machines are regulated by the state and, much to the disappointment of Rockford aldermen, local officials have little say over who qualifies for them or how many can be installed.

Aldermen had been trying to craft an ordinance that would give them a way to regulate the machines to avoid clusters in certain parts of town and keep them out of storefronts, parlors or package-liquor stores.

The City Council wanted to create a liquor license specifically for bars with gambling machines. It would then regulate how many of the licenses could be issued and where. But aldermen threw in the towel Monday on the advice of their attorneys, who felt the regulations wouldn’t stand up in court if they were challenged.

“We’re not the lone ranger in this. People are upset all over the state,” said Ald. Frank Beach, R-10. “Here we had a good compromise that we felt was in the best interest of the community, but because of the state law’s posture, we can’t do it.”

Elsewhere in Winnebago County, gambling totals are growing. The amount bet in Loves Park jumped 10 percent in May; it went up 17 percent in Machesney Park and 9 percent countywide, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.

May was particularly unlucky for Rockford gamblers.

While the amount going into machines stayed virtually flat, betters lost $63,000 more than they did in April. As gamblers lose, machine vendors and bar owners win. Their total profits climbed, as did the state’s and city’s tax cut.

Rockford’s share of the winnings was $44,000 in May, up $3,000 from April. That money is designated for capital and equipment purchases.